• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Monday, January 18, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

Does Arkansas facility still breed big cats?

BCR by BCR
February 2, 2013
in News World
0
0
SHARES
4
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

You might also like

Cub Petting Shame

Rules

GoFree

From the Turpentine Creek web site:

“Today, we have very good control of our Big Cat’s breeding…. Our goal is for our Big Cats with pure genetic backgrounds to help diversify the Big Cat ‘gene pool’ around the world…”

###

Heather’s Ark: Big Cats

Monday February 26, 2007 11:53pm
Reporter: Heather Crawford
Posted By: Katrina Strickland

Eureka Springs – It’s touted as one of the largest big cat refuges in the world that’s open to the public and located right here in Arkansas.

Right now tigers and several other types of big cats are on the endangered species list. In the wild, they are at risk of extinction due to poaching and loss of habitat. But they also face another danger. In the United States, it is estimated that 7,000 – 10,000 are privately owned – many of which may end up needing another home.

That’s where Turpentine Creek comes in. What’s so unique about the facility is just how close the public can get to the animals.

Just outside of Eureka Springs more than 100 abused, abandoned, or unwanted big cats have been taken in. Cats like Kenny, an inbred, white tiger who was rescued from a breeder in Bentonville.

They live at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, a USDA licensed facility, in the Ozark Mountains. When you visit the refuge, you can get within five feet of most of the animals.

Tanya Smith says her family bought the land, which spreads across 450 acres, for one reason.

(Tanya Smith, Turpentine Creek Founder and President) “Our main mission is just to rescue. Just to keep these endangered species and animals from being destroyed. We don’t want to see all these animals just put to sleep so we bring them in and save their lives and do the best we can to give them the best life they can have.”

If it wasn’t for the refuge, Smith says about 95 percent of the animals would likely have been put to sleep. Her ultimate goal is to build enough natural habitat enclosures so they can all have room to roam outside the confines of a cage.

Right now 17 habitats have been built and more are planned.

(Smith) “See, I feel like they’re just grateful we brought them in and take care of them.”

The animals at Turpentine Creek have been rescued form 17 different states. Most of them were kept as household pets but they became too big and too dangerous for their owners to handle.

(Smith) “They are wild animals. It’s very important people understand that. It’s real hard, I know for people whenever they see these cute little babies, only about two pounds when they’re born. Then they grow, in a year you have a 150 pound cat and then by the time they’re 5 years old a Siberian Tiger can be 700 or 800 pounds.”

At Turpentine Creek, the animals are not bred, bought, or sold. In addition to lions, tigers, cougars, and other exotic felines, there are also a handful of black bears, and even a monkey.

(Smith) “There are too many animals out there right now that need homes and if it wasn’t for people buying them as pets then we wouldn’t need to be here. That would be the ultimate goal, for there not to be a need. Unfortunately there is.”

The need is so great that last year alone more than 100 big cats had to be turned away because there was simply no more room. The animals that come here, come to stay.

(Smith) “We hate to have to turn an animal away but we do understand with our budget, and we are non-profit, that if we’re not able to support that animal whenever it gets here than we’re jeopardizing all the animals we’ve already saved.”

Turpentine Creek is open to the public almost every day of the year. And if you plan on staying overnight, you can rent a room with big cats right outside the window. For more information on the refuge, look under newslinks.

Also, if you have any animal story ideas, email Heather Crawford at hcrawford@katv.com.

http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0207/400885.html

Tags: News World
Previous Post

BigCatRescue sent you a video!

Next Post

Answers few in Denver Zoo jaguar investigation

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Cub Petting Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

January 17, 2021
131
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
21
Big Cat Rescue does bobcat rehab and release of native, Florida bobcats.
Articles by BCR

GoFree

March 29, 2020
63
Nik Tiger being Xrayed
How To Start A Sanctuary

What is a day like at Big Cat Rescue?

June 30, 2020
12
Cougars at Big Cat Rescue
Memorials

Artemis

January 28, 2020
17
Next Post

Answers few in Denver Zoo jaguar investigation

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Shop To Save Big Cats

More From BigCatRescue

  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big Cat Information

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Versioin
No Result
View All Result
  • 2018 Appeal
  • About BCR
  • About our Cookies
  • BCR in the Media
  • Big Cat Rescue Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade
  • Big Cat Times
  • Blog
  • Board of Directors
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Credentials
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Embed Link
  • GET THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CUB PETTING
  • Global Big Cat News
  • Intern Program
  • Kids
  • Latest from Big Cat Rescue
  • Licensing
  • Map
  • Map of Big Cat Owners
  • Netflix
  • News about Big Cats
  • News Gallery
  • News@BCR
  • Our Video Series
  • PressRoom
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rescues
  • Search result
  • Series Archive – Default header
  • Shop
  • SnowLeopard
  • Social Stream
  • Staff
  • Teachers
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • Test Gravity
  • USFWS
  • Vets
  • Videos archive
  • Get Involved
    • Automatic
    • Sponsorships
    • Volunteer
      • AdvoCats
      • Click to Feed
      • Intern
    • Legacy
    • Roar! Speak Out for Big Cats
    • Ink
  • Finances
  • How We Started
  • Abuse Issues
    • Issues
      • Exhibitions
      • Private Ownership of Big Cats
      • Zoos
      • White Tigers
      • Circus
      • Fur
      • Trophy Hunting
      • Canned Hunting
      • Why Regulations Don’t Work
  • Our Evolution
  • Photos & Facts
  • Videos
  • Our Volunteers
  • Your Privacy
  • Donate
  • Site Map
  • Field Trips

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Add New Playlist